FCCPC Moves to Sanction Producers Over Poor Fortification of Vegetable Oil, Salt
By Editor
The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has directed producers of vegetable oil and salt found to be inadequately fortified to comply with mandatory food fortification standards, following a nationwide survey that uncovered deficiencies in some products sold in Nigerian markets.
The Commission disclosed that 12 per cent of vegetable oil samples and two per cent of salt samples examined during the exercise were inadequately fortified, raising concerns about compliance with national food fortification requirements.
According to a statement issued on Thursday, November 5, 2026, by the FCCPC’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Ondaje Ijagwu, the survey was conducted in partnership with the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN).
The two-month exercise involved random sampling of products from markets and households across northern and southern Nigeria. It analysed 200 samples, comprising 100 vegetable oil and 100 salt samples.
The methodology included a Household Food Fortification Survey, supported by the Digital Fortification Quality Traceability Plus (DFQT+) platform, designed to monitor and track fortified food products.
The Commission explained that Large-Scale Food Fortification (LSFF) involves adding essential vitamins and minerals, including iron, folic acid, vitamin A, zinc and iodine, to widely consumed staple foods and condiments during industrial processing.
The initiative is aimed at addressing micronutrient deficiencies and reducing hidden hunger, a public health challenge affecting vulnerable populations, particularly preschool children and women of reproductive age.
The survey also revealed that a significant proportion of the vegetable oil samples were unbranded.
Of the 100 vegetable oil samples analysed, 49 were unbranded, while 51 carried identifiable brands. These included Devon Kings, 19 samples; Power Oil, 12; Activa, four; Golden Penny, three; Laziz Oil, three; and Mamador, Lasor Oil, Golden Terra, Canola, Primo Vegetable Oil, Zimzitana Oil, Ayarah Oil, Sim, Tadenkey and Okli, with one sample each.
For salt, 19 samples were unbranded, while 81 were branded. Mr Chef accounted for 71 samples, while Dangote accounted for 10.
Beyond the fortification deficiencies, the FCCPC identified poor participation by manufacturers in the DFQT+ digital traceability platform developed by GAIN.
The platform is designed to improve the monitoring of fortified food products from production to consumption, strengthen transparency and enable manufacturers and regulators to identify and address quality concerns across the supply chain.
However, the Commission disclosed that only six vegetable oil producers had registered on the platform. Furthermore, only eight test results, belonging to three of the six registered companies, were uploaded, out of the 100 vegetable oil samples analysed.
Consequently, the FCCPC said it had issued a directive compelling defaulting producers to comply with the applicable requirements.
The Commission also urged manufacturers, particularly micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), to embrace product registration and digital traceability systems.
It equally called for increased consumer awareness of the importance of fortified foods, as well as proper product handling and storage.
Commenting on the findings, the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the FCCPC, Mr Tunji Bello, said consumers must be able to trust the quality of products they purchase and the benefits those products are expected to deliver.
Bello explained that consumer protection extends beyond resolving complaints and addressing harmful business practices, stressing that it also involves ensuring that consumers receive the value and benefits they are entitled to expect from products available in the marketplace.
He further emphasised that manufacturers have a responsibility to maintain appropriate quality standards and ensure that their products comply with applicable regulatory requirements.
The FCCPC also disclosed that it had escalated the matter to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) for further action, in accordance with the Memorandum of Understanding between both agencies.
